Regal Cinemas, one of the largest movie theater chains in the US, has agreed to a $2.5 million settlement after being sued for not clearly showing ticket booking fees to customers in New York. The case was filed by a customer named Tim Jones, who said he was charged a $1.80 online booking fee that was not clearly mentioned until the end of the purchase.
This case is a reminder that businesses must be transparent about prices and inform customers upfront about any extra fees. If you bought an online movie ticket from Regal Cinemas in New York between July 31, 2023, and July 15, 2024, you may be eligible for part of the refund.
Why Was Regal Cinemas Sued?
The lawsuit began when Tim Jones bought an electronic movie ticket through Regal Cinemas’ website. He noticed that the ticket price was shown, but the extra booking fee of $1.80 was only revealed at the end of the booking process.
This practice was called misleading by the plaintiff. According to New York’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Law (ACAL §25.07(4)), all charges—including service or booking fees—must be shown before the customer decides to buy the ticket. Prices cannot increase during the transaction process.
Regal Cinemas did not admit they were wrong but agreed to pay $2.5 million as a settlement to avoid further legal battles.
What Is a Class Action Lawsuit?
This case is an example of a class action lawsuit, where a group of people with the same issue come together to sue a company. These types of lawsuits help people who may not have the time or resources to fight a case individually, especially against big companies.
Class action lawsuits can:
- Hold businesses accountable
- Encourage better company practices
- Bring policy reforms
- Protect consumer rights
In this case, the lawsuit helped push Regal Cinemas to change their ticket process to show all charges upfront.
Who Can Claim a Refund?
You are eligible for a refund from the Regal Cinemas settlement if all of the following conditions apply:
1. Where and How You Bought the Ticket
- The ticket was purchased for a Regal Cinemas theater in New York State.
- The ticket was booked electronically through Regal’s official website.
- You used the guest checkout option while booking.
2. Time Period
- You bought the ticket between July 31, 2023, and July 15, 2024.
3. Booking Fee
- You were charged a booking fee during the online checkout.
How Much Compensation Will You Receive?
The exact amount of your payment depends on:
- How many valid claims are submitted.
- How much you paid in booking fees.
According to the official details, payouts may range between $5 and $25 per ticket.
When Is the Deadline to Claim?
The deadline to submit a claim is April 21, 2025. If you qualify and want your share of the settlement, you must submit a valid claim before this date.
The final court hearing happened on March 5, 2025, and the deadline to object or opt out was February 14, 2025. Now, the only step left is for eligible customers to file their claims.
To file your claim, visit the Top Class Actions website and follow the instructions for the Regal Cinemas settlement.